DP-203 Linked service Practice Question
Which TWO are required to run a stored procedure in Azure SQL Database from Azure Data Factory?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common trap is thinking that a self-hosted integration runtime or staging storage is required. For Azure SQL Database (without a firewall blocking public access), the default auto-resolve IR works fine. Staging is only needed for large data movements, not for running a stored procedure. Also, some may mistakenly believe a dataset is optional, but it is required for defining the stored procedure reference.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
A linked service to Azure SQL Database.
To run a stored procedure in Azure SQL Database from Azure Data Factory, only two components are required: a linked service to Azure SQL Database, which defines the connection and authentication, and a stored procedure activity in the pipeline that specifies the stored procedure name and parameters directly. A dataset is not required because the stored procedure activity can define the stored procedure reference inline. Options like a self-hosted integration runtime or staging storage are unnecessary for this task.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
A linked service to Azure SQL Database.
Why this is correct
The linked service provides connection details.
- ✗
A dataset that references the stored procedure.
Why it's wrong here
A dataset is not required. The stored procedure name and parameters can be defined directly within the stored procedure activity, eliminating the need for a separate dataset.
- ✗
A self-hosted integration runtime.
Why it's wrong here
Azure IR can connect to Azure SQL Database directly.
- ✗
A staging blob storage account.
Why it's wrong here
Staging is not needed for stored procedure execution.
- ✓
A stored procedure activity in the pipeline.
Why this is correct
The activity defines the stored procedure call.
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